Andrew gently touched her hand.

“You never have to hide those feelings from me.”

She took a long breath.

“I was scared the police would yell.”

“They helped you.

You did the right thing by calling.”

Ashley opened Buddy’s worn ear and showed him a tiny drawing she’d tucked inside: a star above a blue pickup, with a bright orange sun coming out from the clouds.

“I made this so you wouldn’t get lost again.”